Nina Arianda News

Last night's Tony Awards show last evening may have impressed fans and critics alike but failed to score in the ratings, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter. Despite little broadcast competition, The Hollywood Reporter reveals: 'The three-hour telecast averaged 6 million total viewers, down nearly 1 million viewers from the 6.9 million who watched in 2011 when the Tonys went up against the NBA Finals, and posted a 1.0 in the ad-coveted 18-49 demo, a 17 percent dip from its previous effort.'

Overflowing with enthusiasm and energy, the true star of the 2012 Tony Awards was unquestionably three-time host and affable Broadway spokesman extraordinaire Neil Patrick Harris, doing what he does best - namely, being the host with the most. Whether web-slinging behind Angela Lansbury and Ted Chapin or leading a spectacular production number with Patti LuPone and a lawnmower, Harris proved yet again why is he is the best in the biz at this sort of thing - well, right up there along with Hugh Jackman, at least. Speaking of whom, in addition to a goosebump-inducing trailer for the forthcoming Tom Hooper-directed film adaptation of the Broadway sensation LES MISERABLES, Hugh Jackman was featured on the Tony Awards telecast and personally on hand to receive a well-earned special Tony Award for his many fundraising successes over the course of his three-show Broadway career, as was crossover superstar Bernadette Peters who took home a special Tony Award for her BC/EFA and Broadway Barks efforts. Adding to the star quotient of the night was Broadway/Hollywood super direct Mike Nichols, giving one of the classiest (despite the CBS-sanction bleep; on the same word as during Danny Burstein's FOLLIES turn, "godammit", incidentlly) and most profound acceptance speeches on the Tony Awards in recent memory - breaking the current record with, now, six Best Director statuettes, by the way. As far as musical performances go, in addition to Harris's triptych of showstoppers throughout the show - without even mentioning the many biting and sassy remarks, jokes and offhand commets; staged and otherwise - there were some seriously strong showings from almost all new musicals and revivals currently running, and even one or two terrific turns from productions already shuttered. The musical highlights of the night were Josh Young and the cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in a spirited and divine take on the title song from the celebrated Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, as well as good showings from new musical head-to-head, nail-bite-worthy competitors, ONCE and NEWSIES, plus one or two other swoon-worthy moments, too. The 2011-2012 Broadway season may not have been a record-breaker insofar as outstanding content and memorable modern classics - while NEWSIES is certainly a smash, last year's THE BOOK OF MORMON is the type of hit we only see once a decade or so, and, therefore, is a bit eclipsed; and, ONCE won Best Musical, anyway - but Harris and the team of this year's show made it an unusually entertaining and unique Tony telecast, even when compared to the finest shows on the past - particularly those from the rightly lauded Cohen era. ONCE may have dominated the wins, but the many musical numbers showed that there is a lot of room for enjoyment whether or not your personal favorite show took home the prizes. Most of all, Neil Patrick Harris proved he was once, twice, three times a Tony triumph.

Tony night was one for the record books and BroadwayWorld.com brought you live updates all night, with LOTS more to come...

Tony night was one for the record books and BroadwayWorld.com brought you live updates all night, with LOTS more to come...Here are highlights from the three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012.

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was broadcast last night in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. Here we take you inside the post-Tony Ball!

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, are underway! The ceremony is being broadcast tonight, June 10, in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. BroadwayWorld was, of course, at the Beacon Theatre bringing you full coverage all night! Check out photos from inside the winners room below!

Nina Arianda is this year's recipient of the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for VENUS IN FUR.

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, are underway! The ceremony is being broadcast tonight, June 10, in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. BroadwayWorld is, of course, at the Beacon Theatre bringing you full coverage all night! Check out photos of tonight's attendees on the red carpet below- part 3!

The 2012 Tony Awards have finished, with big wins for ONCE, Audra McDonald, James Corden and more. BroadwayWorld brings you a recap of the winners' remarks below. Whether you missed an honoree or just want to re-live the moment, scroll down to read each winner's acceptance speech!

Carrie Dunn, BWW:UK's editor-in-chief, gives the perspective from the other side of the Atlantic

Welcome to the BroadwayGirlNYC 2012 Tony Awards LIVE BLOG!!

It's here! The 2012 Tony Awards will air on CBS tonight, June 10 at 8pm and, as usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tony Day, Night and Beyond!

Last night, Julia Jordan, Theresa Rebeck, Marsha Norman, Tim Sanford, Gary Garrison, The Dramatists Guild, and The Committee for Recognizing Women in Theatre presented the 3rd Annual Lilly Awards at Playwrights Horizons. Named for playwright Lillian Hellman, The Lilly Awards were created to recognize the extraordinary contributions made by women to the American Theater. Producers, playwrights, actors, designers, and directors were honored last night for their continued excellence in the theater community. Check out phtoos from the event below!

Yesterday, June 4, Broadway veterans united for a fundraiser with President Barack Obama and special guest President Bill Clinton at the New Amsterdam Theater, titled- BARACK ON BROADWAY. Featuring direction by George C. Wolfe, the event was hosted by Margo Lion, Thomas Schumacher, Michael David, Lauren Mitchell, Roger Berlind, and Paul Boskin. Rob Berman was music director and John Guare acted as script consultant.

Recently revived on the Broadway stage this past winter, Noel Coward's comic tour de force PRIVATE LIVES now comes to Pittsburgh to finish off Pittsburgh Public Theater's "Red Hot" 2011-2012 season. Coward's silly screwball romp from the 1930s tells the story of two former lovers, Elyot and Amanda, reunited five years after a presumably malicious divorce. The glamorously volatile couple rekindles their lust for one another after being forced together by adjoining hotel balconies on their respective second honeymoons - and the madness that ensues is a hilarious clash of verbal and physical proportions between both members of the highly acidic pair.

Tonight, June 4, 2012 Julia Jordan, Theresa Rebeck, Marsha Norman, Tim Sanford, Gary Garrison and The Committee for Recognizing Women in Theatre will present the 3rd Annual Lilly Awards at Playwrights Horizons. Named for playwright Lillian Hellman, The Lilly Awards were created to recognize the extraordinary contributions made by women to the American Theater. Producers, playwrights, actors, designers, and directors will be honored for their continued excellence in the theater community.

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 6/1 with just 2 days to go in voting!

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 5/31 with just 3 days to go in voting!

Voting opened on May 3, 2012 and runs through June 4, 2012 for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards! Here are the current standings as of 5/29 with just 5 days to go in voting!